local gardening and food source

local farms

Fresh venison, local veggies and cheese, and locally made bread...a perfect dinner.

For the record, I am having a blast with the Dark Days Challenge. (That’s why I am no longer counting weeks, but rather meals.) I am loving trying to figure out how to make a local meal, and what local really means to me. What I mean by that is that for me local isn’t just locally grown (or raised) food, but local is about supporting small, mom-and-pop businesses. I’m amazed by the number of people who have taken their passion for food and started businesses. They’re going up against big business. They deserve support.

Fall is in air and Halloween is almost here. What better time to spend quality time outdoors with the family? Picking pumpkins at local farms is an autumn tradition for many of my friends, and the homemade pumpkin pies that come from local pumpkins are to die for! I found two national directories of local pumpkin patches that offer hay rides, activities for kids, and…of course…pumpkin picking. Check out The Pumpkin Directory and Pumpkin Patches and More.

Why not get your pumpkins for your holiday pumpkin pies and other treats at the local pumpkin patch this year? You’ll not only have a great time with the family, you’ll be supporting local farms by buying local produce!